Device for measuring voltage across a remote load

ABSTRACT

A device for measuring voltage across a remote load includes a power supply configured to output a first output voltage to the remote load. A switch is selectively movable from a closed position to an open position. A measuring circuit measures a load voltage across the load when the switch is in the open position and determines a voltage difference between the first output voltage and the load voltage. The measuring circuit adjusts the first output voltage to a second output voltage to compensate for the voltage difference. A second A/D converter can also be coupled to the power supply. The second A/D converter measures a voltage across a resistor such that a change in the voltage indicates a change in the load voltage. The power supply is then adjusted to output a second output voltage to compensate for any change in load voltage.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/184,024, filed on Jun. 16, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,191,093, whichclaims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 62/186,692, filed onJun. 30, 2015, the contents of each are hereby incorporated by referencein their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to measuring voltage across a remote load;more particularly, to measuring voltage using remote sensing of thevoltage supplied to the remote load by a power supply; and mostparticularly, to a device for measuring and adjusting the voltagesupplied to the remote load from the power supply without requiringdedicated remote sense wires.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a prior art power circuit 10 configured for remote sensingof a load voltage. Circuit 10 generally includes a power supply 12configured to output a voltage to a load 14 via wires 16, 18. The powersupply is regulated so as to output a stable output voltage, forinstance 24 VDC. However, wires 16 and 18 inherently possess a certainresistance when current flows through the wires. By way of example,standard 24 gauge wire has a resistance of 2.567 ohms per 100 feet. Thisresistance causes a drop in voltage between the power supply and theload. Thus, if wires 16 and 18 are long, they may cause a significantvoltage drop over the length of the run. To continue the above example,if wires 16 and 18 are 24 gauge wire having lengths of 350 feet, eachwire would have a resistance of about 9 ohms equating to a total wireresistance of 18 ohms. If the load current is 220 mA, the calculatedvoltage drop across the load would be about 4 V (V_(drop)=0.220 A*18ohms). Thus, the load only receives 20 volts from the power supply. Ifthe load requires 24 V for proper operation, the output voltage willneed to be adjusted upwards about 4 V so as to output about 28 V toaccount for the voltage drop of the wires so that the required 24 V loadvoltage may be supplied to the load.

As shown in FIG. 1, prior art power supplies employ a pair of sensewires 20, 22 to provide remote sensing of the load voltage. Sense wires20, 22 are selected so as to require minimal current and thereforeresult in low voltage drop across the sense wires. Sense wires 20, 22operate to create a voltage feedback so that the power supply can adjustthe output voltage until the sense wires sense the proper load voltagebeing supplied to the remote load. Sense wires 20, 22 may be shielded26. While providing the necessary voltage regulation of the power supplyto produce the required load voltage, sense wires 20, 22 increase thecost and complexity of the circuit by requiring additional wires to berun and the provision of dedicated sense wire terminals at the powersupply.

What is needed in the art is a device that remotely senses the outputvoltage being supplied to a load without requiring the use of dedicatedremote sensing wires. This device may be of particular advantage overlong wire runs as the elimination of the dedicated remote sensing wiressaves costs associated with this additional material and also simplifiesinstallation by eliminating the need to properly wire the remote sensingwires to the remote sense terminals on the power supply. Moreover, inthe case of a retrofit installation there may only be one pair of wiresrun between the power supply and the load.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a devicefor measuring voltage across a remote load wherein a switch such as, forexample, a mechanical switch or a relay, transistor, MOSFET, or othersolid state device, is integrated within the power supply circuit suchthat, when the switch is closed the device measures the output voltageof the power supply and, when the switch is opened the device measuresthe output voltage across a capacitor connected in parallel with theload. These two measurements are used to determine the voltage dropbetween the power supply and load such that the power output voltagesupplied by the power supply may be increased so as to provide thedesired load voltage at the load. The device may also include a secondvoltage sensor which is configured to allow for quick changes to theoutput voltage at the power supply to accommodate for load changes whenthe switch is in the closed position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly described, a device for measuring voltage across a remote loadcomprises a power supply configured to output a first output voltage tothe remote load. A switch is located between the power supply and theload and is selectively movable from a closed position to an openposition. A measuring circuit is configured to measure a load voltageacross the load when the switch is in the open position so as todetermine a voltage difference between the first output voltage and theload voltage. The measuring circuit may be further configured to adjustthe first output voltage to a second output voltage to compensate forthe voltage difference.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the measuringcircuit comprises a first analog to digital (A/D) converter coupled tothe power supply and a load capacitor connected in parallel with theload. The load capacitor may supply the load current to the load whenthe switch is in the open position and the first A/D converter measuresthe load voltage supplied from the load capacitor. The measuring circuitmay further comprise a second A/D converter coupled to the power supply.The second A/D converter is configured to measure a voltage across aresistor wherein the voltage indicates changes in the load current andvoltage. The power supply is then adjusted to output a second outputvoltage to compensate for the change in load voltage. The circuit mayinclude a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller configuredto adjust the power supply to output the correct load voltage in realtime.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a methodfor measuring voltage across a remote load is provided. The methodcomprises a) providing a power supply configured to output a firstoutput voltage to the remote load; b) locating a switch selectivelymovable from a closed position to an open position between the powersupply and the load; c) providing a measuring circuit configured tomeasure a load voltage across the load when the switch is in the openposition; d) allowing the switch to be moved to the open position; e)measuring the load voltage; and f) determining a voltage differencebetween the first output voltage and the load voltage.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method mayfurther include (g) allowing the power supply to adjust the first outputvoltage to output a second output voltage to compensate for the voltagedifference.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the method mayfurther include (g) allowing a second A/D converter to measure a voltageacross the sense resistor wherein a change in the voltage indicates achange in the load current and voltage; and (h) allowing a controlsignal to be sent to the power supply to adjust the power supply tooutput a second output voltage to compensate for the change in loadvoltage.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, a device formeasuring voltage across a remote load comprises a power supply coupledto the remote load by a pair of wires. The power supply comprises apower output module configured to output a first output voltage to theremote load. A receiver is configured to receive voltage informationfrom the remote load and a first switch unit is configured toselectively couple respective first ends of the pair of wires to eitherthe power output module or the receiver. The device further comprises ameasuring circuit coupled to the load and configured to measure a loadvoltage across the load. The measuring circuit comprises a loadcapacitor connected in parallel with the load. The load capacitorsupplies the load current to the load when the first switch is selectedto couple the respective first ends of the pair of wires to thereceiver. A first A/D converter is configured to measure the loadvoltage supplied by the load capacitor and packet the measured loadvoltage into the voltage information. A transmitter is in communicationwith the first A/D converter and is configured to receive the voltageinformation from the first A/D converter and transmit the voltageinformation to the receiver. A second switch unit is configured toselectively couple respective second ends of the pair of wires to eitherthe load or the receiver. When the first switch unit couples therespective first ends of the pair of wires to the power output module,the second switch unit is selected to couple the respective second endsof the pair of wires to the load. When the first switch unit is selectedto couple the respective first ends of the pair of wires to thereceiver, the second switch unit is selected to couple the respectivesecond ends of the pair of wires to the transmitter by detection ofvoltage or current interruption.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the pair ofwires is configured to operate as a differential pair, such as tominimize noise when the transmitter transmits the voltage information tothe receiver.

In accordance with the present invention, the first A/D converter, thetransmitter or the receiver may be configured to calculate a voltagedifference between the first outlet voltage and the load voltagepacketed within the voltage information. The receiver may furtherconfigured to output an adjustment signal to the power supply to causethe power supply to output a second output voltage to compensate for thevoltage difference.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, themeasuring circuit comprises a second A/D converter and a sense resistorcoupled to the power supply. The second A/D converter is configured tomeasure a voltage across the sense resistor wherein a change in thevoltage indicates a change in the load voltage. The power supply maythen be adjusted to output a second output voltage to compensate for thechange in load voltage.

In accordance with yet a further aspect of the present invention, amethod for measuring voltage across a remote load comprises: a)providing a power supply coupled to the remote load by a pair of wires,the power supply including a power control module configured to output afirst output voltage to the remote load, receiver and a first switchunit, and a measuring circuit coupled to the load and configured tomeasure a load voltage across the load, the measuring circuit includinga load capacitor connected in parallel with the load, a first A/Dconverter, a transmitter in communication with the first A/D converterand a second switch unit; b) toggling the first switch unit to couplerespective first ends of the pair of wires to the power control moduleand toggling the second switch unit to couple respective second ends ofthe pair of wires to the remote load whereby the power supply modulesupplies the first output voltage to the remote load; c) toggling thefirst switch unit to couple the respective first ends of the pair ofwires to the receiver whereby the second switch unit toggles to couplethe respective second ends of the pair of wires to the transmitter; d)allowing the load capacitor to provide the load current to the remoteload; e) configuring the first A/D converter to measure the load voltagebeing supplied to the remote load by the load capacitor; f) packetingthe measured load voltage into a voltage information packet; g)communicating the voltage information packet to the transmitter; and h)transmitting the voltage information packet to the receiver.

In still a further aspect of the present invention, the method mayfurther include i) configuring the receiver to output an adjustmentsignal to the power output module to adjust the power output module tooutput a second output voltage to compensate for the voltage difference,wherein the first A/D converter, the transmitter or the receiver isconfigured to calculate a voltage difference between the first outputvoltage and the load voltage packeted within the voltage informationpacket.

In a further aspect of the present invention, the measuring circuit mayfurther comprise a second A/D converter and a sense resister coupled tothe power supply, wherein the method may further include i) configuringthe second A/D converter to measure a voltage across the sense resistorwherein the voltage indicates a change in the load current and voltage;and j) adjusting the power output module to output a second outputvoltage to compensate for the change in load voltage.

Numerous applications, some of which are exemplarily described below,may be implemented using the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of example, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a remote sense circuit utilizingdedicated remote sensing wires, as is known in the art;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a device for measuring voltage across aremote load, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a device for measuring voltage across aremote load, in accordance with an additional embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a further aspect of the device formeasuring voltage across a remote load shown in FIG. 3.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. The exemplifications set out hereinillustrate currently preferred embodiments of the present invention, andsuch exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope ofthe invention in any manner.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIG. 2, a first embodiment of a device for measuringvoltage across a remote load in accordance with the present invention isgenerally indicated by reference numeral 30. Device 30 includes a powersupply 32 coupled to a load 34 (as represented by a resistor) by a pairof wires 36, 38. Switch 40 is connected to power supply 32 via wire 36and is selectively movable between a closed position and an openposition (as shown). In a further aspect of the present invention,switch 40 may be housed within the power supply, as indicated by dashedline 32A. When the switch 40 is in the closed position, an outputvoltage supplied by power supply 32 powers the load 34. Power supply 32further charges the capacitor 42, which is connected in parallel withthe load 34. In this manner, as switch 40 is moved to its open position,capacitor 42 is able to provide the required power to power load 34.

Device 30 is configured to include a voltage measuring circuit tomeasure voltage across load 34. To that end, power supply 32 includes aA/D converter 44 wherein, when switch 40 is in the open position, A/Dconverter 44 measures the load voltage across the load as supplied bycapacitor 42. As wires 36 and 38 possess resistance, output voltagesupplied by the power supply will be subject to voltage drop at theload. A/D converter 44 measures this voltage drop by measuring the loadvoltage. The load voltage is then compared to the nominal outputvoltage, measured by A/D convertor 44 with switch 40 closed, beingsupplied by power supply 32 to determine the voltage drop (i.e., outputvoltage minus load voltage). The output voltage can then be adjusted tocompensate for the voltage drop such that power supply 32 provides anadjusted output voltage (with switch 40 in the closed position) so as tooutput a voltage which results in the proper voltage required forpowering load 34.

In a further aspect of the present invention, power supply 32 mayfurther include a second A/D converter 46 configured to measure voltageacross a sense resistor 48, positioned on wire 38 proximate power supply32. A/D converter 46 and A/D converter 44 may further incorporate aproportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller wherein sense resistor48 and A/D converter 46 operate to measure the current draw of load 34and A/D converter 44 to monitor voltage. Fluctuations in the voltage ofthe power supply and current draw of load 34 are detected and analyzedby the PID of A/D converter 46 and 44 such that a microcontroller 45,which may be part of power supply 32 or not, may quickly adjust theoutput voltage of power supply 32 to compensate for the detected changein current draw at the load. In this manner, the proper load voltage maybe maintained as required by the load when switch 40 is in the closedposition. As such, switch 40 need only be opened periodically to measurethe load voltage and confirm that power supply 32 is outputting theproper output voltage to provide the proper load voltage at load 34.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a method formeasuring voltage across a remote load comprises: a) providing a powersupply, such as power supply 32, configured to output a first outputvoltage to the remote load (i.e., load 34); b) locating a switch (suchas switch 40) between the power supply and the load, the switch beingselectively movable from a closed position to an open position; c)providing a measuring circuit configured to measure a load voltageacross the load when the switch is in the open position; d) allowing theswitch to be moved to the open position; e) allowing for the measuringof the load voltage; and f) allowing for a determination of a voltagedifference between the first output voltage and the load voltage. Themethod may further include g) allowing the power supply to adjust thefirst output voltage to output a second output voltage to compensate forthe voltage difference.

In a further aspect of the method, the measuring circuit may comprise aload capacitor (such as load capacitor 42) connected in parallel withthe load wherein the load voltage is supplied to the load by the loadcapacitor after the switch has been moved to the open position. Themeasuring circuit may further comprise a first A/D converter (such asA/D converter 44) coupled to the power supply wherein the first A/Dconverter performs step e), i.e., measuring of the load voltage.

Still further, the measuring circuit may further comprise a senseresistor (such as resistor 48) and a second A/D converter (such as A/Dconverter 46) coupled to the power supply. In this manner, infurtherance to step f) above, the method may further include: g)allowing the second A/D converter to measure a down line voltage acrossthe sense resistor wherein a change in the voltage indicates a change inthe load current and voltage; and h) allowing a control signal to besent to the power supply to adjusted the power supply to output a secondoutput voltage to compensate for the change in load voltage.

Turning now to FIG. 3, an alternative embodiment of a device formeasuring voltage across a remote load in accordance with the presentinvention is generally indicated by reference numeral 60. Device 60generally includes a power supply 62 coupled to a remote load 64 (asgenerally embodied as a resistor) via a pair of wires 66, 68. Powersupply 62 includes a power output module 70 which is configured toprovide an output voltage to remote load 64. Each respective output lead73, 75 on power output module 70 is connected to the first end of eachof wires 66 and 68 by a respective switch 72, 74 while each respectivelead 77, 79 of load 64 is connected to the opposing second ends of wires66, 68 via a respective switch 76, 78.

To measure voltage drop, switches 72 and 74 are toggled so as to contactrespective leads 81, 83 on receiver 80, which may reside within powersupply 62. Toggling switches 72 and 74 interrupts the power beingsupplied to load 64 by power output module 70. Load 64 remains poweredvia charge stored within capacitor 82. A/D converter 86 also detects theinterruption in the power supplied by power output module 70 and causesswitches 76 and 78 to toggle to contact respective leads 85, 87 ontransmitter 84. The voltage across capacitor 82 is indicative of theload voltage which is measured by an A/D converter 86. The power supplyvoltage is measured by A/D convertor 100. The load voltage (or measuredvoltage drop) is then reported to transmitter 84, which communicates theload voltage (voltage drop) to receiver 80 at power supply 62. It shouldbe noted that any of A/D converter 86, transmitter 84, or receiver 80may be configured to calculate the voltage drop between the outputvoltage supplied by power output module 70 and the load voltage at load64 (i.e., the voltage drop being equal to the output voltage minus theload voltage).

Once the voltage drop has been measured, receiver 80 may then provide acontrol signal to power output module 70, so as to adjust the outputvoltage to compensate for the voltage drop (i.e., the difference betweenthe original output voltage and the load voltage). In this manner, powersupply 62 may output the proper voltage required by the load 64 whiletaking into consideration the resistance of wires 66 and 68 and thevoltage drop resulting therefrom. In an aspect of the present invention,wires 66 and 68 are configured to operate as a differential pair so asto minimize any noise effects which may be encountered along the run ofthe wires.

In a further aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4, device60′ may further include a sense resistor 88 and A/D converter 90 similarto sense resistor 48 and A/D converter 46 discussed above with regard toembodiment 30 as shown in FIG. 2. A/D converter 90 may monitor voltageacross sense resistor 88 such that any change in the current draw of theload is recognized by the A/D converter 90. With the respective switches72, 74 and 76, 78 toggled so that power supplied by power output module70 powers load 64, A/D converter 90 may provide a control signal topower output module 70 to adjust the output voltage to compensate forthe changes in current at the load as monitored by sense resister 88. Inthis manner, switches 72/74 and 76/78 need only be periodically toggledto either the receiver 80 or the transmitter 84 to measure the loadvoltage and confirm that power output module 70 is outputting the properoutput voltage, so as to provide the proper load voltage at load 64after compensating for any voltage drop due to the resistance withinwires 66 and 68. Switches 76/78 are toggled when a detection of voltageor current interruption.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a methodfor measuring voltage across a remote load comprises: a) providing apower supply (such as power supply 62) coupled to the remote load (suchas load 64) by a pair of wires, the power supply including a powercontrol module (such as module 70) configured to output a first outputvoltage to the remote load, a receiver (such as receiver 80) and a firstswitch unit (such as unit 72/74), and a measuring circuit coupled to theload and configured to measure a load voltage across the load, themeasuring circuit including a load capacitor (such as load capacitor 82)connected in parallel with the load, a first A/D converter (such as A/Dconverter 86) down line from the load, a transmitter (such astransmitter 84) in communication with the first A/D converter and asecond switch unit (such as unit 76/78); b) toggling the first switchunit 72/74 to couple respective first ends of the pair of wires to thepower control module 70 and toggling the second switch unit 76/78 tocouple respective second ends of the pair of wires to the remote load 64whereby the power supply module supplies the first output voltage to theremote load; c) toggling the first switch unit 72/74 to couple therespective first ends of the pair of wires to the receiver 80 wherebythe second switch unit 76/78 toggles to couple the respective secondends of the pair of wires to the transmitter 84; d) allowing the loadcapacitor 82 to provide the load voltage to the remote load; e)configuring the first A/D converter 86 to measure the load voltage beingsupplied to the remote load by the load capacitor; f) packeting themeasured load voltage into a voltage information packet; g)communicating the voltage information packet to the transmitter; and h)transmitting the voltage information packet to the receiver.

The above method may further include i) configuring the receiver 80 tooutput an adjustment signal to the power output module 70 to adjust thepower output module to output a second output voltage to compensate forthe voltage difference, wherein the first A/D converter, the transmitteror the receiver is configured to calculate a voltage difference betweenthe first output voltage and the load voltage packeted within thevoltage information packet. Additionally and/or alternatively, themeasuring circuit may further comprise a second A/D converter and asense resistor coupled to the power supply wherein the method mayinclude i) configuring the second A/D converter (such as A/D converter90) to measure a voltage across a sense resistor (such as resistor 88)wherein the voltage indicates a change in the load voltage; and j)adjusting the power output module to output a second output voltage tocompensate for the change in load voltage. It is understood that when anelement is referred to as being “on”, “connected to/with”, or “coupledto/with” another element, the element can be directly on, connectedto/with or coupled to/with the other element or intervening elements mayalso be present.

While the invention has been described by reference to various specificembodiments, it should be understood that numerous changes may be madewithin the spirit and scope of the inventive concepts described.Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited to thedescribed embodiments, but will have full scope defined by the languageof the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for measuring a voltage across a remoteload, comprising: a) a power supply configured to output a first outputvoltage to said remote load; b) a switch located between said powersupply and said remote load, wherein said switch is selectively movablefrom a closed position to an open position; c) a measuring circuitcomprising: i) a first analog to digital (A/D) converter; and ii) acapacitor connected to said remote load and chargeable by said powersupply when said switch is in said closed position, wherein saidcapacitor supplies a capacitor voltage to said remote load when saidswitch is in said open position, wherein said measuring circuit isconfigured to measure said first output voltage when said switch is insaid closed position and to measure said capacitor voltage when saidswitch is in said open position, and wherein said voltage across saidremote load is determined by said measuring circuit based upon saidmeasured first output voltage and said measured capacitor voltage. 2.The device of claim 1 wherein said measuring circuit is furtherconfigured to communicate with said power supply to adjust said firstoutput voltage to a second output voltage to compensate for a voltagedrop between said power supply and said remote load when said switch isin said closed position.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein said measuringcircuit further comprises a sense resistor and a second analog todigital (A/D) converter coupled to said power supply, wherein saidsecond A/D converter is configured to measure a voltage across saidsense resistor, and wherein, upon a change in said voltage across saidsense resistor, said power supply is adjusted to output a second outputvoltage.
 4. The device of claim 3 wherein said second A/D converterincludes a proportional-integral-derivative controller configured toprovide a control signal to said power supply whereby said power supplyoutputs said second output voltage.
 5. The device of claim 1 whereinsaid switch is a solid state device.
 6. A method for determining avoltage across a remote load, comprising: a) providing a power supplyconfigured to output a first output voltage to said remote load; b)locating a switch between said power supply and said remote load, saidswitch being selectively movable from a closed position to an openposition; c) providing a measuring circuit comprising a first analog todigital (A/D) converter and a capacitor connected to said remote loadand chargeable by said power supply when said switch is in said closedposition; d) supplying said first output voltage to said remote load bysaid power supply when said switch is in said closed position; e)measuring said first output voltage; f) allowing said switch to be movedfrom said closed position to said open position; g) supplying acapacitor voltage to said remote load when said switch is in said openposition; h) measuring said capacitor voltage when said switch is insaid open position; and i) determining said voltage across said remoteload based upon said measured first output voltage and said measuredcapacitor voltage.
 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the stepof: j) allowing said power supply to adjust said first output voltage tooutput a second output voltage to compensate for a voltage drop betweensaid power supply and said remote load when said switch is in saidclosed position.
 8. The method of claim 6 wherein said first A/Dconverter performs step i.
 9. The method of claim 6 wherein themeasuring circuit further comprises a sense resistor and a second analogto digital (A/D) converter coupled to said power supply, wherein themethod further includes: j) allowing said second A/D converter to detecta voltage change across said sense resistor; and k) allowing a controlsignal to be sent to said power supply to adjust said power supply tooutput a second output voltage to compensate for a voltage drop betweensaid power supply and said remote load.